Unlocking the Secrets of Heart Stopping Phone Calls

Conclusions

There are some pacemakers that are sensitive to digital cellular telephone interaction when the antenna is held in close proximity to the pulse generator.

Patients that are pacer-dependent should not use their digital cellular telephones in close proximity to the pulse generator, for example, storage of an active cellular telephone in the breast pocket of their jackets.

Once the source of interference was removed, no permanent malfunction was seen in the pacemakers or in any oftheir programmable features.

Further testing should be done in order to clarify the importance of the variables that determine this phenomenon. This knowledge will be helpful in predicting how future cellular telephone technologies will affect implantable medical devices. In addition, it will be helpful for the medical professional in determining the extent of the riskto which a given patient may be subjected when using a digital cellular telephone.